Cake Decorating Community - Cakes We Bake

Interesting discussion on Cakecentral about wires in cakes

Here is the link to this discussion...it is important information for anyone thinking about or actually inserting wires directly into cakes...not good!

The link is below

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I like the coffee stirrer tip.
When using wires I don't put them into cake I put a straw in it the I have first put gumpaste into the one end to keep the wire from coming clear threw.
Good reminder to everyone. I can't believe how many decorators (and instructors) also put toothpicks in cakes--how dangerous. They can get lodged in a person's throat or airway! Decorators should NEVER use a non-edible that is smaller than 3 inches (so it would definitely be noticed before being eaten).
I agree Marsha..a Wilton instructor taught me to use toothpicks instead of wires to make some flowers...so the toothpick is attached to the flower and is food safe and comes out with the flower when removed.
Wires could be covered in chocolate before inserting into the cake. Instead of toothpicks try spaghetti size 5 or higher for the thickness. (This is a new wilton method and I actually like it better than toothpicks because the flowers could slide off the toothpicks and the toothpicks could be left in the cake.)
Here's another discussion on wires - http://www.cakeswebake.com/forum/topics/cake-wire
That is a good link however it doesn'taddress the fact that wire and floral tape is not made to come in contact with food. Floral tape has latex in it and can be a severe allergy for some....also wire usually has some toxic metal like lead in it so that is a definite NO NO. The only wire that is suitable is stainless steel or copper...the same stuff that pots and pans are made of. If you are going to use straws make sure they are longer than the wires. If you cover the wires with anytthing like paste or chocolate the coating may break and expose thre wires. I know it is a PITA however when it comes to food safety it is better to go the extra mile rather than have someone sue you or get closed down by the local health inspector.
I've also been curious about alternatives to wire in general -- i.e. edible alternatives. I have bought things like rice noodles and licorice that I want to experiment with as alternative stems for gumpaste flowers. Does this sound crazy or possible? I'm a newbie, so I don't know, but I just think it'd be cool if the whole thing was made from something that was technically edible.
I've only just started looking at using the wire for a cake but can't get hold of any food safe wire locally. However, when I thought about it logically, if I get stainless steel wire (which I can get fairly easily) then it's no different to putting my food onto a stainless steel kebab holder, which I do regularly and don't give it a second thought, similarly you eat your food with stainless steel knives, forks etc.
Bunny you can use regular spaghetti or I sometimes use toothpicks.

Stephanie yes stainless steel is food safe just make sure it is clean...sometimles the milling process leaves residues like oils....
If I put it through the dishwasher first then wipe it immediately it's fiinished hopefully that will make sure there is no reidue left on it.

Karen Marie said:
Bunny you can use regular spaghetti or I sometimes use toothpicks.

Stephanie yes stainless steel is food safe just make sure it is clean...sometimles the milling process leaves residues like oils....

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